In 2003 the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority began developing plans to convert the eastern half of the Blue Hills Reservoir into two 10 million gallon buried drinking water storage tanks. The reservoir, built in the 1950’s had been inactive as a public drinking water source since 1981, but served as a protected wetlands area in the reservation along scenic Chickatawbut Road. The 16 acre reservoir was home to at least five species of native fish, and served as a vital wetlands ecosystem in the Blue Hills Reservation.
Friends of the Blue Hills, with the help of local legislators and citizens, advocated against the project because it violated the state’s Wetland Protection Act. Under the act, the MWRA should have been required to provide mitigation sites as part of the “no net loss” wetlands policy, which they did not. However in an unprecedented exemption to the legislation, the Department of Environmental Protection decided that none of the 8.7 acres of open water habitat would be replaced. The project, which was completed in 2009 at a cost of $38 million resulted in the largest net loss of wetlands by a public works project in over 20 years.
Are canoe’s allowed own the water?
Thanks
Jeff – Canoes aren’t allowed on the Reservoir, but you can bring them to Ponkapoag Pond.
Please no pickerel , Bass and trout are fine and wally eye would be great. My dad caught a 2,1/2 lb large mouth and I caught a 1 pounder.
Littleman
Great catch! The Reservoir isn’t stocked… but the fish certainly found their way there!
I am a avid fisherman. I fished the resavoure several times this year. It was my first time fishing this spot . I caught 2 bass very small. I’ve seen a few schools of small bass swim by.I believe it’s a healthy pond BUT I have never seen a turtle or a frog. I have seen 1 or 2 sunfish. I am suprised about the turtles is there anyway the friends of the blue hills can add the 2 most commen species the painted turtle and the snapping turtle. I have seen at Houten pond the turtles also I have caught yellow perch and pikerall. I have not seen any perch or pikerall at the resouver. SO what I am asking is can you stock perch pikral, and turtles in the resavoure I catch and release all my fish . I love nature and without these species the pond will not stay healthy.sorry about the spelling I wrote from my phone..Please email me back….
Justin,
Thanks so much for your comments! I’ll email you as you requested!
Judy
Have fished this post quite frequently this summer. I feel like people are pulling the good fish out of the water because in mid August I was catching 4-5lb bass, now only a few dinks. Please, if you fish this wonderful little spot, catch and release!
Good feedback! Thanks for your comment.
I don’t know whether it’s been stocked or not, but 4 & 5 pound large mouth bass are common.
Good to know. Thanks for that!
Are there fish in this reservoir? I just saw about three guys yesterday fishing the place but I didn’t know if it had been stocked since it’s completion.
The former Reservoir was drained completely during construction and it is not stocked. However, people do fish there — and they report catching fish!
Thank you.. very helpful map and info. Anything similar regarding Popes Pond .. constructed long ago, hoping to get some info on that. Thank you again & have an awesome day. Rg
good day
i have recently visited, fished in and enjoyed the reservoir. Do you know where I may obtain a topographical map of the reservoir itself. The folks that desighned and constructed the pond and surrounding landscape did an exceptional job. Kudos to all involved, job well done. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed the Reservoir. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority constructed the Reservoir. You can find a lot of info about the construction here: http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/04water/html/blue_hills.htm. If it doesn’t have what you’re looking for, I’m sure they can provide it at the MWRA.